New Mexico secures 11,000 acres along Mimbres River for wildlife and water protection
State officials and conservation groups finalized the purchase of nearly 11,000 acres along the Mimbres River, creating the Mimbres Ranch Wildlife Management Area and preserving historic water rights.
New Mexico completed a deal to buy almost 11,000 acres of ecologically valuable land along the Mimbres River, establishing the Mimbres Ranch Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the Gila National Forest. The Trust for Public Land and state funding enabled the protection of historic water rights dating before 1907, ensuring water remains in the river rather than being diverted. The preserve encompasses high-desert grasslands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, cottonwood riparian zones and ponderosa pine, supporting large mammals, birds and federally listed species like the western yellow-billed cuckoo and Chiricahua leopard frog.
State fisheries officials noted the importance for native fish such as the Rio Grande sucker and Chihuahua chub. Lawmakers and the governor praised the project as an investment in wildlife, clean water and outdoor recreation for future generations. Management plans and public-access rules will be issued after initial assessments.
Why it matters
Protecting the land and water rights safeguards rare desert habitats and ensures long-term recreation and biodiversity for New Mexico.
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